world.

Frequently the question of how can I contribute to world peace comes to my thought. The answer always comes in the way I view others as well as myself. Am I critical of others? Am I critical of myself? The answer to both of those questions is often “Yes”. Then I ask myself, “What does God see?” Habakkuk 1:13 comes to mind and it reads “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil.” Once again, I will practice seeing through God’s/Love’s eyes which will be my small contribution to world peace.

While thinking about joy and beauty, I am reminded of the hundreds of advertisements and commercials showing happy people who take certain medicines or even the perfect-looking couples who have invested correctly and are enjoying their life fully, or joyous-looking families eating the right foods at a meal! We are bombarded with these images constantly. Often, we want to compare our life with those pictures and when they just don’t compare, we think we have failed. How very ridiculous is that kind of thinking, but we all do it from time to time; some more than others.

John 10:10 reads “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Those advertisements and commercials are the thieves that come to mesmerize and hypnotize us into thinking we need what they are selling. Not true. Our prosperity, beauty and joy come from within and only from Godlike thinking. Today I will be alert to what I am thinking! I will choose joy that cannot be taken from me.

While sitting at my desk this morning and glancing out the windows at the various clouds, beautiful trees, numerous deer, I know that everything in God’s universe is in it’s perfect place and there is no randomness! I believe the same is true in my life. Everything and everyone is in my life for a reason and I can find out that reason when I give up human will and outlining and quieten worldly thoughts throughout the day.

It is so easy to get caught up in this world with the overstimulation of the human senses due to all of the technology surrounding us. We need to master it not vice versa. Let it serve us! Philippians 4:6 which is one of my favorite verses, states “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Yesterday while checking out at the grocery store, the cashier told me from the beginning, this was only the second time to check out alone. From then on, it was having to stop and get help with different items, to check prices and correct mistakes. About this time, someone pushed her basket into me from the rear accidentally and apologized profusely.

Now what was so special to me was the compassion I felt for all of these so-called “inconveniences”. There was a time when only one of these things would have irritated me to no end. Later I saw this experience as a “pop quiz” to see if I were practicing what I had been studying and praying about; certainly not a punishment.

When I returned home, the first thing my husband said was “Wow, that didn’t take you anytime!” It was so amusing when I knew before I would have been checking my watch. Also, the remainder of the day was delightful as well. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2. Only Good is going on.

While pondering about human popularity, I was gently reminded how important that was to me while in school many years ago. It seemed necessary to me for those to like me even when I may have not liked them in return. Many times, I have seen it in parents who want to be their children’s best friends or in jobs where the leader was obsessed with his popularity rating so that his job suffered.

When we put God first and realize He is our main concern, everything else falls into place. John 16:33 states “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer, take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted! For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.”

We are never told that everyone is going to like us or agree with us. What is important is that we hear God and obey Him!

If we would faithfully realize every day that the omnipresence of Love fills the whole universe, the consciousness of the healing, saving power of that Love will reach and bless all who reach out to God in their extremity. Lonely hearts will become conscious of His infinite Presence. Those afraid will feel the touch of this Love and be comforted.

The light of the Christ will dispel the darkness of fear and pain, and His voice will declare, “Lo, I am with you always, you are never alone.”

Numbers 6:25-26 states “The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” This prayer is for the world.

This past week-end was spent with about twenty relatives that have not been together in years. Had to work with 1 Peter 5:6-7 before going which reads, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Rather than rely on human memory, I learned to listen more to God and look at all these precious people with fresh eyes! What a glorious week-end it was! When someone began an old story, I prayed to listen with humor and Love, rather than becoming defensive. That can make all the difference in the world.